Beschreibung:

MALPIGHI, Marcello (1628-1694). Autograph letter signed ("Marcello Malpighi") to an unidentified correspondent, Rome, 15 December 1691. 1½ pages, 8vo, integral blank, slight separation along central fold, otherwise in fine, original condition. In Italian. Provenance : Myron Prinzmetal (cited in Adelmann edition). A RARE MALPIGHI AUTOGRAPH LETTER, CONTAINING A CONSILIUM. It reads: "I am sorry about the obstinacy of the illness that is bothering the child of the most illustrious Countess Helen; it must be some defect in the lymph which troubles the chest and subsequently the entire organism. The remedies beings used seem to me adequate, and the entire purpose must be directed to sweeten the humors, so that the chest will not be affected with a worse ikllness. One might also try the administration of goat whey in the quantity of four ounces. In the next solstice he will perhaps, as I desire, improve. Please give my best regards to the Illustrious Countess Helen...to the Illustrious Olimpia Fontana, also on behalf of my Frencesca, who, and I thank God for this, is in good health...." The letter is published as letter 920 in vol. IV, p. 1744 of Adelmann's Correspondence of Marcello Malpighi (1975). Most of Malpighi's correspondence is in institutional hands, with very few letters remaining on the market. The letter is in effect a consilium : Malpigh's consilia have not been published, with the exception of those Adelmann selected for publication on the basis of their having a personal salutation, like the present. Adelmann conjectures that the letter might have been to Ippolito Francesco Albertini (1662-1746), professor at Bologna, and a pioneer in the study of heart disease. Malpighi had then just come from Bologna to Rome to serve as personal physician to the newly elected Pope Innocent XII. The letter remarks on the condition of the child of the Count and Countess Aldrovandi (Filippo and Elena, his wife).